Except for some finishing touches, AMHA's building construction is almost over. We now have 48 students - 22 residents and 28 day scholars. Thanks to the donation by a well wisher, we are in a position to pick up and drop back our day sholars in our own mini bus and this has been in operation for the last 3 years.

AMHA's current staff consists of 4 special educators, 2 carers, 2 ayahs, 1 cook and a driver. AMHA's current monthly operational expenses amount to Rs. 50,000/-

As part of vocational training our students make paper carry bags, phenoil, incense sticks, detergent powder, and writing chalk. It is not large scale production nor is it income generating, but it does provide a form of occupational therapy and meaningful employment of time to those in our care.

Free lunch is however provided to all young adults in AMHA's care.

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AMHA
Ashirvad
Karyattukara
Elthuruth P.O.
Thrissur 680611
Kerala, India

amhaindia@yahoo.co.in

Tel. Nos. : 
(0091487)2363670 
(0091487)2381844  


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Looking Forward

AMHA is now embarking in an additional direction: imparting inmates with vocational skills commensurate with their ability. The endeavour has started with small beginnings in the form of making household products like detergent powder, incense sticks, candles, phenyl disinfectant solution, etc. From a strictly commercial point of view, we cannot claim that it is profitable. But it is an engagement that the inmates find meaningful and therefore take pride in accomplishing.

For the future, we would like to embark on agricultural and horticultural activities which would have excellent therapeutic value for our inmates.

As is inevitably the case in today's world, the constraints are first and foremost financial.

We need your help to:

• complete the construction of our building. Once that is completed, we are then eligible to receive grants from Government agencies like the National Trust;
• equip our institution with the necessary infra-structural facilities to generate a regular and assured income;
• meet our current day-to-day operational expenses.

Thank you for your interest in AMHA.

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Mental Health Overview

450 million people suffer from a mental or behavioural disorder, yet only a small minority receive even the most basic treatment. In developing countries, most individuals with mental disorders are left to cope as best they can with their private burdens. Many are victimized for their illness and become targets of stigma, harassment, abuse and discrimination. The scant amounts of mental health services available are confined to urban areas.

The public health system is inadequate and under-funded. There is a strong stigma associated with psychiatry & therefore, a severe shortage of skilled professionals.

India has 2 to 3 psychiatrists per million inhabitants compared to 50 to 150 per million in developed countries. A total of 3,000 psychiatrists and 565 neurologists serve a population of 1 billion Indians in the area of mental health. Given this scenario, non-profit, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) pioneering innovative mental health programs become crucial.

AMHA is one such organization.

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AMHA's Origin

The Brainchild of Dr.P.Bhanumathi, Professor, Department of Zoology, Sree Keralavarma College, Thrissur, AMHA came into being in 1997. Scarcity of facilities for the care of the mentally disabled is what motivated Dr.Bhanumathi, her husband & their like-minded associates to launch this venture. The one institution available in Thrissur for the care of mentally disabled was then and is now, not affordable to the common man.

In economically backward families, both parents work outside the home in order to provide for the family's needs. Staying at home to look after a mentally handicapped person invariably pushes them into deeper poverty.

From 1997 until May 2004, AMHA operated from a rented house near Seetharam Mills at Punkunnam, Thrissur, providing day-care for mentally challenged individuals from such families. 22 families benefitted from AMHA's facilities. 54 cents of land had however been acquired for the construction of AMHA's own building.

On May 31st 2004, AMHA shifted into its very own building. The new postal address & telephone number have been updated on this website and are given on the right on every page. The Mayor of Thrissur Corporation, Sri Radhakrishnan, inaugurated the new building, in the presence of dignitaries such as Sri.Therambil Ramakrishnan, Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly. Since shifting to the new premises, AMHA is able to provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, regular medical check-ups and counselling for parents and caregivers.

Help AMHA fulfil its mission by sending a donation.

Thank you for your interest in AMHA.